ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution denouncing the latest Indian attempt of demographic engineering in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) through a so-called delimitation commission.
The resolution moved by Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said this is aimed at artificially altering the electoral strength of the Muslim majority in IIOJK. Noting that the commission’s recommendations have been rejected by a cross section of political parties in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the resolution categorically rejected the report of the so-called delimitation commission that seeks to convert the Muslim majority of IIOJK into minority and further marginalize, disenfranchise and disempower the Kashmiri population and advance the political and electoral objectives of the BJP.
The resolution noted that through the delimitation exercise, India is making attempts to further its illegal actions of 5th August 2019 and subsequent measures. The resolution recalled that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute and a long standing item on the agenda of the UN Security Council. It declared that no facade of elections based on sham delimitation exercise can substitute the legitimacy and indispensability of a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the UN.
The resolution demanded that India honors and fulfills the obligations under the international law, UNSC resolutions and the fourth Geneva Convention and refrain from bringing about any illegal demographic changes in the occupied territory. It urged the Indian government to forthwith end its oppression and widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in IIOJK and enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in the Security Council resolutions.
The resolution called upon the international community to ensure accountability of India’s grave and persistent violations of human rights and war crimes in IIOJK. It reiterated Pakistan’s unflinching commitment and solidarity with Kashmiri brothers and sisters, reaffirming that Pakistan will continue to extend all possible support in their just struggle for freedom and self-determination.
It also asked the government to continue to expose and counter the Indian moves before the international community and to highlight and forcefully project the Kashmir cause at all bilateral and multilateral forums including the UN and the OIC. Taking the floor, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the whole exercise of delimitation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir is illegal and in contravention of relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.
The Foreign Minister said that he has also addressed a letter to the President of the UN Security Council and the Secretary General of the UN in which he has highlighted the unlawful steps taken by India to change the demographic structure of IIOJK. He said that he, in his letter, has also underlined that the delimitation exercise was designed to further marginalize the Kashmiri people and pave the way for another puppet government in the occupied territory.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan will continue to reach out to the world to raise international awareness about Indian illegal steps in IIOJK. Speaking in the National Assembly on political issues, Foreign Minister and PPPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said his party believes in the much needed electoral reforms before announcing the schedule of next general elections by the coalition government.
He said there is a need to sit together for electoral reforms involving all stakeholders including civil society and political parties to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stressed the need for repealing all non-democratic bills and ordinances introduced by the past government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to clip the powers of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar categorically stated in the House that Pakistan cannot engage with a belligerent India. She made it clear that there is no change in Pakistan’s policy with regards to India. She said Pakistan cannot antagonize any country. We are not against any country. She said Pakistan wants to improve the level of engagement with the European Union as the GSP Plus status has helped in improving the country’s exports.
Hina Rabbani Khar said the government’s foreign policy will serve the interests of the country. She however regretted there had been no deft handling of the foreign policy in the three and a half years of PTI government. Responding to the concerns of members regarding water shortage in the country, Minister for Water Resources Khurshid Shah expressed the confidence that the water situation will improve by June 30. He said the water situation is improving in Tarbela.
The Minister assured that all the provinces will be given water as per their share. He said shortage in water will also be shared with the provinces accordingly. Meanwhile, the National Assembly was informed that the country is expected to receive over thirty billion dollars in remittances during the current fiscal year. Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sajid Hussain Turi told the House during question hour that remittances of twenty-two billion dollars have so far been received.
He recalled that the remittances remained twenty-nine billion dollars during the last fiscal year. The Minister said that there are around 8.9 million overseas Pakistanis across the world and most of them are in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. He said these overseas Pakistanis are contributing to the economy and all-out steps will be taken to address their problems. The house will now meet tomorrow (Friday) at 10:30 am.